Fill cap



Jan. 1, 1935. w N. GLAB` 1,986,143

FILL CAP Filed March 19, 1934 Patented Jan. 1, 1935 William` N. "Glab, Dubuque, Iowa, assignor to Morrison'ros., Dubuque, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa .Application Maren 19Y 1934,.ser1'a1 N0..,'z16,25sV 1o claims. (01220-55) The. present invention relates :to Vauiill cap and Will-be herein described as a yquick aopening. ll cap for truck tanks.

Truck tanks., such for example asare :utilized 5 for the transportation and-delivery of gasoline, fuel -oil and the like, in order .to .be economically operated, .must be provided with .means Ifor quickly Vreplenishing .the yempty tanks, :so that the inactive vtirnemelen'ient of vsuch trucks may be reduced to a minimum. This is especially. trueof `the lighter .truck .tanks used 'for :de- -liveringfgasolina 'fuel oil and the like to retail trade, small lling stations, home garages and. domestic fueloil tanks, .Where .such vtrucks are filled several times a day.

` .The -tank must `be :provided .with ill `caps which prevent eva-poration and gas leakage, .whichvmust be quickly .opened tandrclosed, andrwhichmust be so rconstructedfas not fto .accidentally open because. of vibrationcincidental to the operation of the trucks along thestreets and roads;

The :present invention is Vdirected to, and 'has fornaniobjecm .affll cap Whichpzmay-be ,quickly and easily opened and closed by simple inloveinent of za handle, andwhichis `locked-in `closed position so asnot to accidentally open.

. Another object :of :the invention isto :provide a ,ll cap, -fincludingfa neck Aa lidwlhich neck may be :welded ltogany `tank .to l.equip .such tank-:with `the presentV cap.

A further object vv of-,the invention `is to provide ,an'll cap c.onstruction.includinga lneck and a lid, :wherein ithe .lid is :provided lwith :means for locking;` engagement V nwith the neck and also with .a handle for actuatingrsuch locking smeans. Y ,.'A=zstill..gfurtherv object :of the invention ,.isito provide a-f1ll ,cap .construction includingl a :neck and a lid,'withfcam actuated, locking means carried loyqtheglid,` together with zan vvactuator, andzthetprovision of 'means `for :retaining the lactuator.against movement in sunlocking direc- .tion .after it has Jbeenrmoved to effect lockingy engagementfofvznthe lid withtheneck. 1

j Another-and still further object oiitheyin-` vention :is-to provide a r'll4 cap construction includinganeck and-a lidhinged totheneck, lugs on the neck, pawls `on the flid, an ,actuator .onthetlid for rmoving the lpawlsfinto :and out .of looking i engagement `with 'the lugs, means' for retaining the pawlsdn locked engagement with ,the-flugs, and a:sealing gasketfin the fjlidwior `contacting `the 'neck to -seali-thejoint zbetweemthe 4lidranrl neck. Y U M f '.llfhe above, `other, .fand fffurther obj ects`I :of the invention l will --be -apparent jfromv the `following description, :accompanying drawing, -and appended claims.

"The Saccompanying drawing illustratesa ill capt'constructed in accordance Witlifthe -prin-A ciples of rthe ipresent invention, and therzviews V5 thereof are as follows: A 5

y Figure 1'-is aside elevational'viewoi a ll `cap constructedlin:accordance with the prin'- cipleszof Athe .-presentinvention, and showing intfull linesthe lid inlclosed and locked posi- 10 tion, and indotted lines .the lid in open position. i Figure-.2J is .atop plan view of the structure of `Figure `r1-k showing `in full Alines `the handle in locked or' closed position and in dotted lines l5 the .handle in open or unlocked .position Figure. .3. isan enlarged vertical- `sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of line III-@III foffFigure 2, VWith-.thehandle in Vopen orlunlockedposition. v *Y uEigure-fieisza bottomplan view of theillus trated form.y of .actuator or. cam of the `4present invention, and showing al fragmental portion of theifhandle. Figure `5 is atopplanaview ofthe lid, fvvith the4 actuator removed, `illustrating the action of the-locking pawls,'. and showing these pavvls-in iull'xline and unlocked. position `and indotted linesfin locked position. 1 'Figure '5 is .a fragmental view of the hinge connectonsbetween the'lid .and the neck i showing =.the hinge .pin :as having play in lthe ears 'of the-xneck, uso .that the lidz may :bea moved tightly :against `the .neckin the direction Aof the axis.iofrthe.'J11eck.l rIfhe drawing will nolwbelexplained. i .flh'e.present invention .is :herein illustrated as includingfafneck .1 and `a lid orcover 2. The neck llfmayibe zsuitably Weldedl to lany tankior .applyingthe :ll .capx'of ithe `present invention torauchetank;4

The xneckfl isfprovided With-rearwardly exten'ding ears Brand A in which"arezelongat'ed slots 5;,=for..receiving a hinge `pin 1-6; Pin 6 passes through suitably disposecliy apertures Vin fears 7 and B; integral'with the l'id' 2.1 A sleeve "9 r may be interposed?aboutv the pinl6 4and lbetv'veen'the ears :'rand 8. -The pin 6 fis prevented from displacement by a cotter `pin'ilO passingthrough theisleeve 9 zandjetherpinrfi. u n

The :lid2 vhasa-n upstanding 4boss 1L formed integrally with it, 'Whichisvboredat 12 toreceive a-suitaie vent; As the-went romena-part off thepresent invention thebore 12-isgshovvr *as .cap 5,13. i :l e .i .z

The under surface of the lid 2 is provided with an annular channel 14 in which is inserted a gasket 15 for resting against the upper margin of the neck 1 when the lid is thereagainst applied, for sealing the joint between the lid and the neck.

The neck 1 is shown as provided with outstanding. lugs. 16.and 17, shown as Adisposed on oppositelsides ofthe neck from the center of the same, which lugs may be integrally formed with the neck or may be separately formed and'g` u bery 24 by the spring within the pocket. The underside of the hooded member 24 is provided with a recess 32 i-nto Awhich the ball 30 snaps, ',.When' vthe hooded member is moved to the extent permanently connectedv to the neck as desired.

The lugs 16 and 17 are herein illustrated at substantially diametrically oppositepoints. The lid 2 carriesvupstanding pivotsr lstuds 18 and 19 which may be formed as part of the lid when cast, or if otherwise made,l may be in serted. Inasmuch as these studs are desirably of different material or" which the lid; isfmade they preferably are inserted in the lid.'

Locking members, hereinreferred to a's pawls, are pivotally disposed on the pivots 18. and `19. The Vpawls are similar in constructionand therefore .will be designated. byv the same reference character. The pawlsv 20 are provided with downturned ends 21 havingv a/lip or foot 22 projecting laterally and with the upper surface preferably inclined. yThe inclined surfaces of the lip` 22 engage the under surfaces of the lugs 16vand 1,7 fordrawing the lid 2 tightly against the neck 1 as will be hereinafter described. The inner ends of the pawls 20 are provided with upstanding projections or pins 23. The downturned extremities 21 of the pawls 20 lie adjacent the exterior of the neck l so that as the pawls are actuated, the lips 22 will be moved into or outof engagement with `the lugs 16 and 17.

For rocking the pawls'20 about the pivots18 and 19, an actuator, consisting inv the .presentin' stance of a hood 24 having a handle25l as a part thereof, is provided with a centrall aperture 26 to surround the upstanding vboss 11 of ythe lid 2. The underside of the hoodedmember. 24 is provided with camslots 26 and 27 (see .Figure 4) for receiving the pins 23 of the pawls 20. The hoodedr member 24 is applied over theboss 11 of .the lid 2 withth'e cam slots26 and 27 on `its underside so that the slot v26 receives the piny23 on the lower pawl of Figure and the slot`27 receives the pin 23 of the upper pawl of` Figure 5. The hooded member or actuator issecured to the boss 11 in any suitablemanner, .a spring ring 28, engaging a groove 29 in the boss.11',zis herein securing. the actu-v illustrated as the means for ator in place on the.lid-2. A, y

The full line position of the handle 25,0f Figurev 2 is the, position voccupied bythe' actuator when the pawls arein locking or closed Vengagement with `the lugs 116l and 17 andthe dotted line position of the handle of thisrgure shows the open or unclosed or unlocked position.. It will be` observed that as the handle 25 is moved from the dotted line position ofFigure 2 to the full line position of the gure, .the'engagement of the Ycam slots 26 and `27A of the pins 23 of the pawls 20wil1 oscillate these 4pawls about the pivots 18 and19 to increasethe distance between the pins 23 of the pawls and-thus move the .lips 22 thereof underneath the-lugs 16. and 17. vBecause ofthe inclined surfaceengagement between the lugs 16 and 17 andthe lips 22 ofi the pawls 20V the lid 2 isforced tightly against -the neck inthe direction `of `theaxis of the neck to thus eciently seal thef.joi`nt.between the neck and the lid. Movement of the handle in the opposite direction will draw the pins 23 together or towards each other thus releasing the engagement of the lips 221with the lugs 16 and 17 to unlock the lid whereupon it may be swung back from the neck about the hinge pin 6.

In order to lock the lid in closed position any suitable means may be provided. There is herein illustrated akspringl pressed ball 30 carried in a pocket 31 formed on the top side of the lid and urged against the underside of the hooded memlof movement in' locking direction, whereby the hooded member is then locked against accidental movement. The tension of the spring, actuating the ball 30-is such as to enable manual manipulation of the hooded memberbut is suiiicient to prevent .any vibration from dislodging the hooded member when locked in the manner'described. H The 4provision ofthe elongated recesses 5 in the ears 3 and 4, l.'forthe hinge pin 6, permit slight.relative'movement. of the lid 2 with respect to the neckljinjother than arcuate travel so that the lidmay be tightly clamped against the neck 1 without imposing undue strain on the hinge pin or any of the hinge parts.

`.It willbe observed that thef iill cap ofthe present invention is constructed to eiecttight sealing between the lid and theneck and that theprovision of the manuallyfoperablehooded member 24 causesquick action ofthe pawls 20 into and out ofv locking engagement with the lugs 16 and 17.

.The construction. of the parts is such that all .are..freely operable when sufficient hand pressureis applied` to the'handle 25 for unlocking or locking thestructure. f.

The neck 1 is shown as provided with a ange 33 which may be Welded to a tank in any suitable manner.

The provision ofthe gasket 15v makes a vapor and dust tightjoint between the lid and neck.

The vparts are so designed and constructed as to enablel production of the fill cap of the pres- .ent Ainvention at low manufacturing costs.'

Any suitable air vent may be applied tothe bore 12 as occasion may require. y

' The invention `haszloeen described herein more Yor lessl precisely as .to details, yet it is to be understood that the inventionisnot to be limit-v ed thereby, as changes maybe made in thearrangement'v and proportion'of parts and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from thespiritandy scope of the invention. -The invention is claimed asfollows: .s 1. A fill cap comprising in combination with a neck, a `removable lid, ylugs"` on said neck, oscillatable cam means supported on said lid, and pawls oscillatably supported on said lid by substantially vertical pivots and swingablev by said cam Vmeans in substantially horizontal planes aboutjsaid pivots into and out of hooking engagement `with said lugs. y

2. -A fill cap structure includingv a neck and a lid, two pawls pivoted to said lid to swing vparallel to the same, manuallyloperable means on said llic -"for swinging said pawls, and means on said rneckior hooking.` engagement by said pawls when swung in one direction, the cooperating portions ofysaidpawls and said hook engaging means `being inclineddnusuch manner that the lid is tightened against said neck as said pawls are swung in locking direction.

3. A ll cap construction including a neck and a lid, two pawls pivoted to said lid to swing `parallel to the same, cam means on said lid operatively connected to said pawls to swing the pawls in locking direction substantially parallel to said lid when the cam is moved in one direction and to swing the pawls in unlocking direction when the cam is moved in the opposite direction, and means on said neck engageable by said pawls when said cam is moved in said one direction, the cooperating portions of said pawls and the pawl engageable means on the neck being inclined crcumferentially of the neck to tighten the lid against the neck when said pawls are swung in locking direction.

4. A fill cap construction comprising a neck and a lid, a lug on said neck, a pawl pivoted on said lid and having a part for engagement with said lug, and means on'said cap for swinging said pawl circumferentially of the lid into and out of engagement with said lug, the cooperating surfaces of said pawl and said lug being inclined circumferentially of the neck to tighten said lid against said neck as said pawl is swung in locking direction.

5. A lock for a fill cap, including in combination with a neck and 'a lid, pawls oscillatably mounted on said lid, projections on said neck, said pawls having feet for engaging the under surfaces of said projections, the engaging surfaces of said projections and feet being inclined to draw the lid tightly against said neck when said pawls are swung to locking position, and means on said lid for oscillating said pawls.

6. A lock for a fill cap, including in combination with a neck and a lid, pawls oscillatably mounted on said lid, projectionsv on said neck, said pawls having feet for engaging the under surfaces of said projections, said pawls having upstanding pins thereon, an oscillatable member having cam slots in it receiving said pins for oscillating said pawls into and out of engagement with said projections, and a handle for oscillating said member.

7. A lock for a ll cap, including in combination with a neck and a lid, pawls oscillatably mounted on said lid, projections on said neck,

said pawls having feet for engaging the .under surfaces of said projections, said pawls having upstanding pins thereon, an oscillatable member having cam slots in it receiving said pins for oscillating said pawls into and out of engagement with said projections, a handle for oscillating said member, and means for preventing accidental movement of said member in unlocking direction when it has been moved to locking position.

8. Means for quickly locking and unlocking a lid with respect to a neck, including in combination a lid and a neck, lugs on said neck, pawls oscillatably supported on said lid by pivots substantially perpendicular to said lid, said pawls having overhanging `extremities for engaging said lugs, the cooperating portions of said lugs and'extremities being inclined in such mannerr said lugs, the cooperating portions of said lugs and extremities being inclined in such manner that the lid is tightened against the neck as said pawls are svvungk in lockingr direction, manually operable means on said lid for oscillating said pawls, and means for preventing retrograde movement of said last mentioned means when said pawls are in locking engagement with said lugs.

oscillatably mounted yon said lid on vertical pivots to swing substantially parallel to said lid, the outer extremities of said pawls having overhanging feet for engaging underneath said lugs when said pawls are oscillated in locking direction, and a member pivoted on said lid for oscillating said pawls into and out of locking engagement with said lugs. I

- WILLIAM N. GLAB.

10. A ll cap comprising in combination with a neck, a removable lid, lugs'on said neck, pawlsL 

